No Cell Phones in the Parks!

[mickeyluv'r]

I have a simple solution for you. If you don't like us using our phones on our vacation, don't look at us.

That might be the point of the whole post. If you are talking during a ride or show, it's kind of hard to ignore the intrusion.

Analogy: Cell phones are to the 2000's as cigarettes were to the 1960's!

I was a professional live performance recently: dark theater except the stage and one spot of blue glow!

I was on the opposite side of the theater, and the blue light very much stood out for nearly everyone in the entire audience! It was extremely selfish and obnoxious!

It must have been very distracting to the many youth performers!

Flashes on dark rides blind me!

On my most recent flight, nearly everyone was trying REALLY hard to sleep and ignore the conversation that was happening behind my seat at 11pm at night! Instead we ALL got the hear all the gory details of Mary's 2005 childbirth woes! (a distant cousin twice removed from the speaker) Everyone had their lights off and eyes clothes and still this woman blabbed on and on to her companion! Granted, she was not on a cellphone. the point is, it is not always possible to ignore conversations that happen in your midst.

 

[beedee12]

I didn't read through all 9 pages of this thread, but...I think cell phones in the park have become a necessity for us. We use them for pictures and MDE. Our family and friends definitely know, though, that we don't have our noses in our phones texting the entire trip. The only time we really connect to the outside world (whether it be texting or facebook) is on the buses or occasionally right before bed. Although I will admit that we went on a cruise last December and it was WONDERFUL to not have our phones on for an entire week!

 

[chrismb22]

That might be the point of the whole post. If you are talking during a ride or show, it's kind of hard to ignore the intrusion.

Analogy: Cell phones are to the 2000's as cigarettes were to the 1960's! .

Seriously, are you breathing in obnoxious cancer causing chemicals from my cell phone? Bad analogy.

As for flashing lights on dark rides, they aren't always cell phones -- they are cameras as well (although that is just as annoying, I will give you that).

It's a courtesy thing. I am not going to use my phone in earshot of other people or during a ride etc. but yes, it is on me at all times.

Unfortunately, courtesy is lacking everywhere, not just with cell phone use. Once people learn courtesy, this won't be an issue.

ETA: Once people are TAUGHT courtesy at home as that's a more appropriate phrase.

 

[Tiramisu]

That might be the point of the whole post. If you are talking during a ride or show, it's kind of hard to ignore the intrusion.

Analogy: Cell phones are to the 2000's as cigarettes were to the 1960's!

I was a professional live performance recently: dark theater except the stage and one spot of blue glow!

I was on the opposite side of the theater, and the blue light very much stood out for nearly everyone in the entire audience! It was extremely selfish and obnoxious!

It must have been very distracting to the many youth performers!

Flashes on dark rides blind me!

On my most recent flight, nearly everyone was trying REALLY hard to sleep and ignore the conversation that was happening behind my seat at 11pm at night! Instead we ALL got the hear all the gory details of Mary's 2005 childbirth woes! (a distant cousin twice removed from the speaker) Everyone had their lights off and eyes clothes and still this woman blabbed on and on to her companion! Granted, she was not on a cellphone. the point is, it is not always possible to ignore conversations that happen in your midst.

Cigarettes are a health hazard. Cell phones are an annoyance. Huge difference.

The flashes on dark rides are more likely to come from a DSLR than from a phone.

Rude people will find a way to be rude whether than have a phone or not. If they're not talking to Cousin Mary on the phone, they'll be talking to Cousin Mary beside them. Actually, I hardly ever actually talk on my phone. One of the biggest breaches of etiquette, IMO, is replying to a text with a phone call. No! Be gone!

 

[nancipants]

Granted, she was not on a cellphone. the point is, it is not always possible to ignore conversations that happen in your midst.

And this is why I text. To keep people from having to overhear my conversation. Yet people say this is rude, too. Make up your minds, people!

As for that analogy...yeah, no. One causes bodily harm to other people, the other is just annoying.

 

[MrInfinity]

Why would you not bring your cell phone? You've already paid for the service, and this is perhaps one of the places where it's the absolute most useful to have it. I suppose you could bring a camera, a handy cam, some walkie-talkies, maps, phone book, weather rock, newspaper, a fastpass troll to wait in kiosk lines for you, and a crystal ball. But... Your cell phone does all that in one device.

I can see not posting on FB or not texting at the dinner table but it would be strange to own one and deliberately not bring it for the time when it's the most useful.

 

[Nancyg56]

Lol....I'm probably texting my Disney geek friends back home about the cool details I just saw. Seriously...don't assume that since I like to play with my phone that I'm missing anything...because trust me....my family doesn't miss a thing.

Mine misses nothing either! We take our phones with us, and make no apologies to anyone. I use them to keep in touch with family who is not with us. We face time so they can enjoy what we are enjoying, share pictures, text and call. WE also play games. What I cannot understand is why anyone would assume that we are less connected, when those people do not even know us. In my family the lines of communication have been expanded exponentially due to the use of smart phones and I would not change this.

 

[graueMaus]

Disney has made it clear it wants you to bring them.

Exactly. I am entirely with the OP, however it is now essential with MDE and Magic Bands FP+ that technology must come along.

I work in IT it is the last thing I want along on vacation

 

[luvmy2babies]

...Two years ago my son was ten and he knew if he got lost to go to a CM and call my cell. EPCOT was so crowded and he got lost in the crowd. Not even 10 minutes later my cell phone was ringing from a cast member with him. If I didn't have my phone I can't even think how scared we all would have been and how long it would have taken. Now when we go - everyone has a cell phone on them...

I haven't read the whole thread, but this is why I'm never without mine, at least not on purpose. My daughter is almost 11 now, but we started going when she was 7 and these are her instructions as well. And my son wears my number on a wrist band with the instructions, "If I'm lost check my wristband," written on it.

When my daughter was 9 we got separated, also at Epcot. I didn't get the call, because I found her before pretty quick, but when I found her she was with the CM giving her my number.

 

[AudreyKThompson]

We always have our phones. I can't imagine being split up at Disney and trying to find each other with no phone. With MDE it is imperative to have a smart phone handy. We never make FB comments on Vacay as we don't like to "advertise" that we are not at home and invite burglars to rob us. We have a no phone at dinner rule, but sometimes have them out in Queue lines or on the bus.

This, absolutely. If I have it out in line it's usually to locate some Disney tidbit to engage in conversation with my family, take pictures, or the above type activities. Like pp I hate that MDE is requiring more time on my phone esp when glitchy.
My kids have phones with them with strict rules that they are only for emergencies if we are separated.
Again, similar to pp, it irks me when people ruin dark rides with photo flashes or video screens- the sea of tablets during fireworks was really off putting, and I had to remind myself I was in the most magical place in earth to calm down and not go crazy when the people behind me (all 6 of them) kept incessantly snapping flash pictures and taking video with backlit screens during IASW- the light destroying my vision and ruining even the moments they weren't taking pictures!

 

[auntiea]

While I get what you are saying it is possible to go to far in the opposite direction. I always I have my cell with me on vacation because it is easiest (and oftentimes the cheapest) way to keep in touch with people. People back home to let them know I arrived safely. To talk with family/friends I might be meeting up with. My number stays the same I don't have worry about missing the call if I leave the room to get ice or something like that.

As for flashes from cell phones - in the past that would have been cameras. The screen glare is a new twist (for both phones and cameras) but that not the phones fault - it is people using them. People who do that sort of things are jerks. There are loads of people who can use the phones without disturbing others and managing to stay in the moments and see what is around them.